Municipal Infrastructure
Stormwater Drainage Application Guide
139 Somerset Rd, Campbellfield, VIC 3016 +61 3 9357 1230 info@tfpl.com.au www.terrafirmapitlids.com
Stormwater Drainage Application Guide
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Light * Strong * Durable * Secure
The Future of Pit Lid Technology
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Less commonly recognised however, is the impact of working with these heavy lids on council maintenance staff. According to Workers Compensations statistics council maintenance workers are in the highest-risk category for Australian workers:
Broken concrete pit lids have long been identified as a hazard. Almost all major Australian Councils have a maintenance program targeted at removing and replacing broken concrete pit lids. A casual search on almost any city street will reveal cracked and damaged concrete drainage covers, and there have been a number of successful lawsuits brought by individuals suffering harm from falling into pits as a result of damaged or missing lids.
The main injuries sustained by workers are muscular-skeletal, with the damage being done to fingers, hands, shoulders, and backs.
Manual Handling Injuries Carry a Huge Economic and Personal Cost :
Light weight composite pit lids are substantially lighter than conventional concrete or ductile iron lids. The difference in weight, has long been recognised to reduce manual handling stress and associated risk of injury for workers who inspect drains or perform routine maintenance tasks.
A lightweight lid with one-person lifting methodology allows for single person maintenance and cleaning, saving dollars and injuries. The lift and drag method of
removing lids is backed by university research as the safest way to open lids.
Terra Firma Industries have developed lightweight, composite pit lids and ergonomic lifting tools with the intention of eliminating the hazard and OH&S risks found with traditional concrete and heavy ductile iron pit lids, however the impacts of the weight and design of the lids and lifting tool on worker stress had not been scientifically measured.
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Ergonomic Analysis of Muscle Activation and Posture.
To learn more about the research from Deakin University download the following white paper.
The study established that a peak muscle activation reduction of over 200% was seen when comparing composite pit lids to conventional concrete & ductile iron.
In conclusion the reduction in peak muscle activation directly
decreases the risk of injury by 200 fold for workers who lift and replace pit lids as part of their daily work tasks.
An Ergonomic Analysis of Muscle Activation and Posture: Terra Firma commissioned Deakin University to undertake a study. The aim of the study was to compare impacts
on muscle activation and posture between the Terra Firma range of products and traditional concrete and ductile iron products with consideration for risk (and injury) reduction.
Notoriously prone to breakages, three major failings of concrete lids have been identified: strength, durability and weight. Despite this, the vast majority of new and existing pit lids are constructed of concrete.
Concrete lids have long been considered the cost-effective option by developers and civil constructors, but they fail to include the whole-of-life costs of the lid in the equation. A multitude of hidden costs after installation are not their responsibility, and are instead borne by councils.
Lifting and replacing broken concrete pit lids is an everyday task for councils. Having to use a maintenance crew and a crane truck creates expense and ties up resources that could be used more effectively. Even then, things can easily go wrong due to the heavy weights involved and the fact that many concrete lids will crack or break when lifted.
Conventional concrete pit lids typically do not meet required AS3996 Class B load test requirements. Presently, many councils simply replace existing concrete pit lids with another concrete pit lid; and these lids (particularly those in high-traffic areas) are often broken again and again.
Additional problems with conventional concrete pit lids include:
Cost’s associated with pit lid breakages have a huge impact on annual maintenance budgets. A Municipal Officer Workers Association (MWOA) survey identified that the annual cost of pit lid breakages in Victoria is estimated
to be $ 30.9 million.
To learn more download the following article:
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Expected life of 30 years + UV Resistant, hard wearing and impact resistant. Terra Firma Endurotek pit lids and access covers are expected to maintain structural integrity for more than 30 years under normal operating conditions.
High structural performance Independently tested to AS3996:2019 Class B 80kN Our tough new long fibre reinforced thermoset composite covers take strength and durability to the next level. Precision moulded in a single piece to ensure an integrated reliable structure
Fibreglass composites can significantly reduce environmental impact, through lower energy use in the manufacturing process, lower transport costs of lighter materials and more durable products.
The Endurotek technology has been developed by Terra Firma with a uniquely formulated compound to ensure the product retains shape and gives years of great service. Moulded as a single, solid thermoset structure The Terra
Firma Endurotek range offers a tough, durable product suitable for storm water infrastructure applications.
To ensure durability in the harsh Australia environment Terra Firma EnduroTek are also subjected to Ultra Violet and Weathering resistance testing.
In accordance with AS3996: 2019 requirements Terra Firma Endurotek products have been subjected to a range of material durability testing including:
Independent NATA accredited testing is to be carried out for all new product classes or major changes in materials.
To learn more about Terra Firma testing and compliance with AS3996:2019 click below:
Produced with new innovation and features which take safety, reliability and aesthetics to the next level, this value for money range of pit lids is rapidly becoming the product of choice by council civil designers for new housing sub-divisions, & capital works programs, and asset managers for routine maintenance activities.
In the age of the Internet of Things (IoT)
where municipal assets are being fitted with sensors,
flow meters and data loggers composite pit lids, that
are, transparent to radio waves, allow the use of
modern, radio-transmitted asset management and
metering systems.
Terra Firma's new EnduroTek range of pit lids have been enabled with Near Field Communication (NFC) chips. The application of this technology enables wireless data transfer to smartphones, laptops, tablets & other devices.
The application and use of NFC technology can provide the foundation for the digital asset identification of all council municipal stormwater assets, along with the storing of data related to newly constructed infrastructure assets, including:
Simply wave your phone or reader near the cover to read the data!
TF Endurotek can be opened using most common keys – including all Telstra and Gatic-style lifters.
The Terra Firma Slam Lock ™ ensures lids are always locked and secure. No need to use a key to lock the lid, just drop the lid into the frame and the Slam Lock does the rest. Terra Firma manhole covers fitted with Slam Lock are quicker and easier to install.
View "Slam Lock" in Action
Each year council's allocate funds for Capital Works Programs to upgrade infrastructure, streets and public spaces. These projects create new assets, or renew and improve existing assets and are designed to improve the functionality & aesthetics of urban spaces. Capital works project include:
The EnduroTek attractive "rains & waves" surface pattern© is an integral part of the lid and the ideal compliment to any street beautification project.
EnduroTek lids can also be produced with custom environmental messages to help raise community awareness. Our standard "Drains to our Waterways message highlights the journey of storm water.
Dandenong City Council's "STORMWATER DRAINS JUST FOR RAIN" design for Healthy Waterways project won the Keep Victoria Beautiful, Litter Prevention Project Of The Year 2019 award.
Council logos also can be included on the cover.
To learn more about how to develop your own community message click on the following link:
Historically Councils have specified heavy concrete and ductile iron pit lid covers that were designed and produced in another era without considering their performance in today's high paced, high volume construction environment.
New housing estate home construction is widely recognised as a period of high risk for poorly performing stormwater infrastructure.
Housing development is now associated with high levels of construction vehicle activity, including:
These activities take a heavy toll on conventional concrete and ductile iron pit lids.
Upon completion of housing developments, Councils, typically inherit significant maintenance costs and safety risks due to concrete pit lid breakages. These costs and risks included repeatedly replacing broken concrete
pit lids and exposing workers to unnecesary OH&S risks.
To learn more about the experience of Melbourne Metropolitan growth area corridor councils download the following case study.
The Engineering Design and Construction Manual was unveiled in April 2011 ushering in a consistent approach to design standards and construction specifications
for subdivision development across all of Melbourne’s growth area municipalities including:
These local governments had a shared belief that significant financial benefits and time savings could be achieved from the adoption of universal engineering infrastructure standards and specifications across Melbourne's growth corridors.
Supporting the "early adopter" experience of some member council's the EDCM opted to specify AS:3996 compliant lightweight fibreglass pit lids for all stormwater
drainage applications - effectively making concrete pit lids obsolete.
By specifying composite pit lids EDCM member council's have significantly reduced stormwater pit lid maintenance budgets & manual handling injuries.
Infrastructure Design Manual - Regional Victoria
Following the adoption of composite pit lids by the EDCM, Terra Firma has developed a comprehensive range of products compliant with regional Victoria's
Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM).
For a comprehensive guide to specifying composite pit lids for Victorian housing developments.
EDCM & IDM
Specification Guidelines.
Terra Firma composite pit lids provide long-term robust solutions for all stormwater maintenance works programs. Utilising a variety of lid sizes and framing configurations, Terra Firma can address almost any requirement.
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To learn more about Terra Firma's extensive range of retro-fit pit lid applications:
Terra Firma Temporary Pit Covers are a quick and easy solution to cover broken concrete lids and keep your work site safe for maintenance workers and the general public.
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Ext
used hundreds of times.
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Weighing a fraction of steel alternatives, reducing transport and handling costs. Requires minimal ground preparation, built-in handles and simple connections, making moving and installation quick and easy.
To learn more about Terra Firma HDPE Heavy Duty Ground Protection Mats:
If you want to learn more about the Terra Firma range of products or how Australia's best pit lids can save time, money and keep you safe contact Terra Firma Industries today.
(03) 9357 1230
info@tfpl.com.au
www.terrafirmapitlids.com
Terra Firma Industries
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